How do I change driving light bulb on a 2002 Ford Focus?!?!!

Hi,
I have an import Ford Focus 2002 series with a pre-2002 series owners
manual and I am seriously scratching my head to a sore mess trying to
work out how to change the bulbs, namely the main beam on the

nearside.
I can remove the catch the open the 'back door' on the light cluster
but can only move the door so far before it catches on the battery
tray.
I have tried unbolting the two bolts on the top of the light cluster
but on trying to remove it the radiator trim gets in the way.
I don't want to have to remove half the front grill of my 18 month old
car just to replace a bulb and the local Ford dealership has just
closed down!
Any ideas anyone, before I confuse myself anymore!
Thanks in advance
Eddie

Ha! Join the club. I spent four hours changing my bulbs the first time I did
it. The manual says simply to remove the cover by hinging it outwards. Fine
on one side, but not on the other, as you've just found out. I figured I had
to be doing something wrong, but eventually gave up and figured out you need
to remove the battery, remove the screws from the battery holder, and then
hold it to one side while you remove the light cluster door. Straight
forward enough, if rather annoying just to change a bulb...
Be careful with the spring clip that holds the bulb in place. It's easily
dislodged, and it's a bit feutery trying to get it back.
What's your engine out of curiosity. I have a TDCi and figured I have this
problem because there's not a lot of room left under the bonnet. I figured
petrols might be easier to change.
Hope this helps.
Gary.

Hi Gary,
Yep, its a TDCi as you guessed. To say the least its a bit cramped in
there what with the turbo and (in my Ghia) the air con unit.
I did speak to (not my local) a Ford garge - I've ordered a new owners
manual off of them which is taking ages to come in - and they
suggested that I had to take the two top bolts off of the light
cluster and another one from beneath the car. I'd already worked out
the two top bolts myself but from under the car was a new one to me.
See if you can find it from under the car, I couldn't - there is too
much under car protection and other parts of the engine to get
anywhere near the light cluster from underneath.. answers on a
postcard maybe!
The Ford guy did say that the new Mondeo's suffered from the same
problem.
Thanks for your help. I'll be changing it today.
Regards,
Ed

Ditto for the aircon. There's no room in there for ANYTHING. All they had to
do was make the headlamp covers twist off like the older Focus model. Or at
least slide off. Pain in the butt, cos it means you can't change the bulbs
at the roadside if needs be. Both mine went at the same time Sat week ago
evening. I was due to go out, and couldn't! If I'd been out I'd have had to
get the car towed back or else waited overnight! Lol. Annoying design flaw.
I was always meaning to write and complain about it, for whatever good it
will do.
Incidentially, I used to use Philips Vision Plus and Osram Silver Star
bulbs, but find they keep blowing after 4 months. Besides the higher cost,
there's also this hassle to consider, so I stuck normal bulbs in the other
week.

It says in the owners manual just to slide the cover outwards, as you'd
expect. It DOESN'T say this is impossible on the battery side... that's why
I feutered around for hours the first time. I'd be interested to see if
yours says anything different.

I didn't want to do this in case it affected the headlamp alignment. Never
been under my car, but looking at it from the top, I dont see how on earth
you'd gain access to that on a TDCi without a whole lot of hassle!

With the Mondeo, the manual says you have to remove the whole headlamp
assembly in order to change a side light bulb. The headlamp alignment then
needs to be checked!! Not very convenient if you need to replace a bulb at
the roadside.
Tim

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